Bending and twisting fixture

ABSTRACT

In combination in a strip workstock forming apparatus, first and second spaced rotatable workstock forming elements, a third rotatable workstock forming element disposed adjacent the first mentioned elements and defining therewith a first workstock path, the third workstock forming element being located relative to the first and second elements such that workstock traversing the path will be deformed in a first plane, fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements defining a second workstock path substantially aligned with the first mentioned path but displaced therefrom a sufficient amount such that workstock traversing the second path from the first path will be deformed in a second plane different from the first plane.

United States Patent Tishken 51 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] BENDING AND TWISTING FIXTURE [72] inventor: Paul Tishken, Birmingham, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Tishken Products 0)., Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 10,811

2,401,720 6/1946 Braun ..72li7lX Primary Examiner-Milton S. Mehr Attorney-Hamess, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT in combination in a strip workstock forming apparatus, first and second spaced rotatable workstock forming elements, a third rotatable workstock forming element disposed adjacent the first mentioned elements and defining therewith a first workstock path, the third workstock forming element being located relative to the first and second elements such that workstock traversing the path will be deformed in a first plane, fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements defim ing a second workstock path substantially aligned with the first mentioned path but displaced therefrom a sufficient amount such that workstock traversing the second path from the first path will be deformed in a second plane different from the first plane.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU PR 4 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 4 BENDING AND TWIS'I'ING FIXTURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, the present invention is directed toward an apparatus for deforming or bending elongated strip workstock in a manner so as to transform the workstock into compound curved workpieces. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a new and improved bending and twisting fixture for producing curved metal moldings or the like, such as might be used, for example, in operatively mounting automobile Windshields or the like. The bending and twist ing fixture of the present invention generally comprises first and second series of rotatable workstock engaging elements or rollers, the first series of which is adapted to defonn, bend or twist the workstock in a preselected direction or shape in a first plane, and the second series of which is adapted to bend, twist or otherwise shape the workstock to a preselected shape in a second plane. The rollers are mounted so as to provide for selective adjustment, both vertically and horizontally, whereby the fixture will find universality of application in bending, twisting or otherwise deforming workstock in a wide variety of shapes.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved workstock bending and twisting fixture,

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bending and twisting fixture which will find universality of application.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bending and twisting fixture which may be easily adjusted and have the workstock engaging elements or rollers thereof easily changed in order to accommodate workstock of different sizes and shapes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a workstock bending and twisting fixture of the above character which is of an extremely rugged design and which will therefore have a long and effective operational life.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bending and twisting fixture which is of a relatively simple design, is economical to manufacture and easy to assemble and maintain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of the bending and twisting fixture of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, as taken in the direction of arrow 2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. I, as taken in the direction of arrow 3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3, a workstock bending and twisting fixture I0, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown as comprising a generally fiat or planar base or support structure 12 which defines a generally horizontally extending support surface 14. Mounted on the base 12 is a pair of spaced parallel guideway members 16 and 18 which are fixedly secured to the base 12 by means of a plurality of screws, bolts or the like 20. The members 16, 18, together with the surface 14, are adapted to slidingly support a generally fiat or planar carriage plate 22 for lateral adjustable movement, i.e., toward the left and right in FIG. 1. Such ad justable movement is provided by means of a conventional screw assembly, generally designated 24, which is fixedly secured to one end of the base 12 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 25. The assembly 24 comprises a pair of spaced guide rods 26 and an adjustment screw member 28, one end of which abuts against the laterally outer end of the carriage plate 22 and the opposite (outer) end of which is provided with a head portion 30 which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool such as a wrench or the like for effecting rotation of the member 28 and thus lateral adjustment of the carriage plate 22. A plurality of vertically extending holddown screws, generally designated 32, are provided with washers 34 and are adapted to be threadably engaged within suitable bores 36 in the base 12, the screws 32 extending upwardly through suitable laterally extending or elongated slots 38 in the carriage plate 22 for securing the plate 22 upon the base 12. It will be apparent that when it is desired to laterally adjust the plate 22, the screws 32 may be loosened, with the slots 38 permitting the desired lateral adjustment via the adjustment assembly 24. The screws 32 may be subsequently tightened after the plate 22 has been properly adjusted, whereby to positively secure the plate 22 in some preselected lateral position.

Fixedly secured, as by welding or the like, to the inner end of the carriage plate 22 is a generally vertically extending sup port member 40 which is provided with a generally diagonally extending reinforcing member 42 which is arranged between the upper surface of the carriage plate 22 and the laterally outer surface of the member 40. The support member 40 is adapted to support a pair of spaced parallel, vertically extending guideway members 44 and 46 which are fixedly secured to the member 40 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 48. A generally horizontally extending member 50 is secured by screws, bolts or the like 52 to the upper side of the support member 40 and extends laterally above the guideway membets 44, 46. The members 44, 46, together with the adjacent surface of the support member 40, are adapted to slidingly support a generally vertically extending carriage plate 54, with the guideway members 44, 46 being provided with outwardly projecting slots or recesses 56, 58 respectively, adapted to nestingly receive outwardly projecting embossments 60 on the carriage plate 54 for guiding the latter for vertical adjustable movement. The carriage plate 54 is adapted to be vertically adjusted by means of a pair of vertically extending adjustment screw assemblies 62, 64 which comprise adjustment screw members 66, 68, respectively having tool engaging head portions 70. As will be apparent, suitable rotation of the members 66, 68 will effect upward and downward vertical movement of the carriage plate 54 in a manner well known in the art The carriage plate 54 is adapted to have a generally vertically extending support member 72 fixedly secured thereto as by welding or the like. The support member 72 is in turn adapted to support a generally horizontally extending member or plate 74 which is provided with a reinforcing member or element 76 that extends between the lower surface of the plate 74 and the adjacent side of the support member 72. Generally speaking, the plate 74 is adapted to operatively support a plurality of rotatable workstock forming elements which define therebetween a workstock path through which strip workstock, such as a strip of preformed sheet metal molding or the like, herein designated by the letter W, may traverse and thereby be bent or deformed in a predetermined configuration. More particularly, the plate 74 is adapted to support a pair of rotatable elements or rollers 78 and 80 which are operatively disposed within a generally rectangular-shaped enclosure 82 mounted upon the member 74. The enclosure 82 comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel end members 84 and 86 between which extends an upper or top member 88 and a lower or bottom member 90. The end members 84, 86 are suitably apertured to provide for the passage of workstock longitudinally therethrough. Mounted longitudinally outwardly from the end members 84, 86 is a second pair of end members, generally designated 92, which are provided with openings 94 through which the workstock passes to and from the interior of the enclosure 82. A suitable intermediate member 96 extends horizontally between the upper ends of the members 92 and is secured thereto by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 98. The rollers 78 and 80 are adapted to be rotatably supported by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced, vertically extending shafts, one of which is illustrated in FIG. and designated by the numeral 100. The shafts 100 are adapted to be rotatably disposed within a pair of vertically spaced bearings 102 and 104 which are in turn mounted within suitable bores or openings 106 and 108, respectively, formed in the top and bottom members 88 and 90, respectively, of the enclosure 82.

The rollers 78 and 80 are adapted to be cooperable with a third rotatable workstock forming element or roller 110 which is designed to be laterally movable relative to the rollers 78, 80 and thereby change the path through which workstock traverses so as to control the degree of bending or deformation of the workstock W as the same passes between the rollers 78,80 and 110. More particularly, the roller 110 is adapted to be rotatably supported upon a generally vertically extending shaft 112 which is mounted within a laterally adjustable carriage assembly, generally designated 114. The assembly 114 comprises upper and lower vertically spaced members 116 and 118 which are provided with suitable antifriction bearings 120 and 122, respectively, mounted within bores or openings 124 and 126, respectively in the members 116, 118. Extending interjacent the member 116 and 118 is a generally vertically extending intermediate member 128 which is fixedly secured to the members 116, 118, as by welding or the like.

The carriage assembly 114, and hence the roller 110 rotatably supported therein, is adapted to be supported for lateral adjustable movement within a guideway assembly, generally designated 130. The assembly 130 comprises an upper or top member 132, a bottom member 134, and a pair of longitudinally spaced laterally extending side members 135. A longitudinally extending, vertically disposed member 136 extends between the members 132 and 134 and is adapted to be secured thereto by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 137. The member 136 is adapted to operatively support an adjustment screw assembly 138 which may be and preferably is similar to the aforedescribed assemblies 24, 62 and 64, with the assembly 138 comprising a laterally outwardly extending adjustment screw member 140 which projects through suitable openings 142 in the member 136 and abuttingly engages the laterally outer end of the carriage assembly 114, as best seen in FIG. 4. The member 140 is provided with a head portion 144 by which the assembly 138 may be actuated, whereby to effect lateral sliding movement of the carriage assembly 114 within the guideway assembly 130, which in turn results in selective adjustment of the roller 110 toward and away from the rollers 78 and 80. A suitable lock screw 146 is provided in the member 132 and is adapted to clampingly engage the upper surface of the assembly 114, whereby to secure the same in a preselected lateral position upon positioning thereof by the screw assembly 138.

Briefly, in operation of the fixture of the present invention, the plurality of rollers 78, 80 and 110 are adapted to be selectively vertically and laterally oriented relative to an associated workstock feeding machine, rolling mill or the like from which a workstock W is fed or delivered. This adjustment of the rollers 78, 80 and 110 is accomplished through suitable actuation of the adjustment screw assemblies 24, 62 and 64. The degree of bending, twisting or other deformation of the workstock W in a generally horizontally extending plane is achieved by selective adjustment or positioning of the roller 110 with respect to the rollers 78, 80, whereby to provide for a greater or lesser tortuous path between the rollers 78, 80 and 110. Such adjustment of the roller 110 is achieved through proper actuation of the adjustment screw assembly 138. Thus, by proper orientation of all of the rollers 78, 80 and 110 and proper orientation of the roller 110 with respect to the rollers 78 and 80, the direction and extent of deformation or bending in a first plane of the workstock W may be achieved.

in order to effect bending or deformation of the workstock W in a plane or direction of curvature different from that achieved through operation of the rollers 78, and 110, an additional pair of rotatable forming elements or rollers 148 and 150 are provided on the fixture 10. Generally speaking, the rollers 148, 150 define a workstock feeding path through which the workstock W traverses subsequent to being bent or twisted by the aforementioned rollers 78, 80 and 110, whereby to achieve the bending or deformation of the workstock W in the second plane. More particularly, the rollers 148, 150 are mounted within an adjustable or movable carriage assembly 152 which is provided with a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending shafts 154 and 156, as best seen in F 10. 6. The shafts 154, 156 are rotatably supported by means of a plurality of bearings 158, 160 and 162, 164 which are respectively mounted within suitable openings 166, 168 and 170, 172 formed in a pair of laterally spaced, vertically extending side members 174 and 176 of the assembly 152. The members 174, 176 are interconnected by means of a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending top and bottom members 178 and 180, respectively, which are fixedly secured to the members 174, 176 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 182.

The carriage assembly 152 is adapted to be supported for vertical adjustable movement within a guideway assembly, generally designated 184, which is mounted upon a generally horizontally extending base plate 186 that is fixedly secured to the plate 74 by means of a pair of interconnecting elements or members 188 and 190 and suitable screws, bolts or the like 191. The guideway assembly 184 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, vertically disposed upright members 192 and 194 between which extend upper and lower vertically spaced members 196 and 198 that are secured to the members 192, 194 by means of suitable screws, bolts or die like 199. The carriage assembly 152 is adapted to be guided by any suitable means for vertical adjustable movement within the assembly 184, such as, for example, by means of suitable confronting guideway slots or recesses 200 formed on the confronting sides of the upright members 192, 194 and adapted to nestingly receive suitable guideway shoulders or embossments 202 projecting outwardly from the laterally opposite sides of the assembly 152.

Means for selectively adjusting or positioning the assembly 152 is provided by an adjustment screw assembly 204 extending upwardly from the top of the guideway assembly 184 and comprising an adjustment screw member 206 similar to the aforedescribed members 28, 66 and 68. As will be apparent, proper actuation of the assembly 204 will effect raising or lowering of the assembly 152. A second adjustment screw assembly 208 is provided on the guideway assembly 184 and extends laterally outwardly therefrom, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The assembly 208 comprises an adjustment screw member 212 adapted to abuttingly engage one lateral end of the assembly 184 for effecting lateral adjustable movement thereof. A pair of adjustable holddown screws, bolts or the like 214 extend throufli suitable laterally elongated slots 216 in the member 198 and are adapted to provide for positive securing of the assembly 184 to the base plate 186 in various laterally adjusted positions thereof.

In operation of the bending and twisting fixture 10 of the present invention, the fixture 10 is initially oriented adjacent the output or discharge end of an associated workstock rolling, forming mill or the like which produces a continuous length of workstock which is of some predetermined configuration such as that shown by the workstock W herein. The plurality of rollers 78, 80 and 110 are adjusted in the manner hereinabove described such that as the workstock W is fed therebetween, said workstock is deformed in a generally horizontal plane to some predetermined curvature and/or is twisted some predetermined amount, depending upon the relative orientation of the rollers 78, 80 and 110 with respect to the associated rolling mill or other source of workstock. After the workstock W traverses between the rollers 78, 80 and 110, said workstock W thereafter passes between the rollers 148 and 150 where the workstock is deformed and/or twisted in a generally vertical plane to some predetermined configuration commensurate with the relative position of the rollers 148, 150 with respect to the rollers 78, 80 and 110. Thus, as the workstock W passes through the fixture 10, it is bent or twisted to a compound curvature in a single operation, thereby obviating the need for successive passes through two or more rolling or forming devices as has heretofore been necessary.

In the event the workstock W being bent and twisted by the fixture is of a configuration such that undesirable deformation or collapsing thereof may occur as the workstock is bent or twisted, means in the form of an elongated, articulated, snake-like member, generally designated 218, may be inserted within the interior or concave portion of the workstock W as the same passes through the fixture 10. The member 218 is shown herein as comprising a series of articulated links 220 which are interconnected by means of a plurality of connecting pins 222, with the entire member being supported within the fixture 10 by a suitable support bracket 224 fixedly secured on the end member 92, as best seen in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated, of course, that the links 220 may be of various configurations so as to correspond with the cross sectional shape of the workstock W, and that the member 218 may be of various lengths, depending upon the amount of bending or twisting to which the workstock W is to be subjected.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. In combination in a strip workstock forming apparatus,

a fixedly mounted support structure,

a first vertically adjustable carriage assembly mounted on said structure,

first and second longitudinally spaced rotatable workstock forming elements mounted on said assembly and lying in a common horizontal plane,

a third rotatable workstock forming element also lying in said horizontal plane adjacent said first mentioned elements and defining therewith a first workstock path,

said third workstock forming element being spaced equidistant from said first mentioned elements and being laterally adjustable along said plane toward and away from said elements such that workstock traversing said path will be deformed in a first preselected plane,

a second vertically adjustable carriage assembly mounted on said first assembly and including fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements lying in a common plane different from said first mentioned plane, said fourth and fifth elements defining a second workstock path which is vertically adjustable relative to said first path such that workstock traversing said second path from said first path will be deformed in a plane different from said first preselected plane.

2. The combination as set forth in claim I which includes a support structure, a pair of generally horizontally spaced vertically extending shafts supporting said first and second elements, respectively, a first carriage, means supporting said third element on said carriage and adjustment means for selectively moving said carriage toward and away from said first and second elements for controlling the amount of deforma tion workstock will be subjected to in traversing said first path.

3. The combination as set forth in claim I which includes a second carriage, a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced shafts supporting said fourth and fifth elements, respectively, and adjustment means for moving said carriage relative to said first plane.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a support structure, a pair of generally horizontally spaced vertically extending shafis supporting said first and second elements, respectively, a first carriage, means supporting said third element on said carnage and ad ustment means for selectively moving said carriage toward and away from said first and second elements for controlling the amount of deformation workstock will be subjected to when traversing said path, a second carriage, a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced shafts supporting said fourth and fifth elements, respectively, and adjustment means for moving said carriage relative to said first plane.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the workstock being formed defines a coextensive interior cavity, and which includes an articulated snake-like element extending within said cavity for preventing undesirable collapsing of the workstock as the same is deformed upon traversing at least one of said workstock paths.

6. The combination as set forth in claim I wherein said fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements are adjustable both horizontally and vertically relative to said first plane.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second spaced rotatable workstock forming elements are adjustable both horizontally and vertically relative to said second plane. 

1. In combination in A strip workstock forming apparatus, a fixedly mounted support structure, a first vertically adjustable carriage assembly mounted on said structure, first and second longitudinally spaced rotatable workstock forming elements mounted on said assembly and lying in a common horizontal plane, a third rotatable workstock forming element also lying in said horizontal plane adjacent said first mentioned elements and defining therewith a first workstock path, said third workstock forming element being spaced equidistant from said first mentioned elements and being laterally adjustable along said plane toward and away from said elements such that workstock traversing said path will be deformed in a first preselected plane, a second vertically adjustable carriage assembly mounted on said first assembly and including fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements lying in a common plane different from said first mentioned plane, said fourth and fifth elements defining a second workstock path which is vertically adjustable relative to said first path such that workstock traversing said second path from said first path will be deformed in a plane different from said first preselected plane.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a support structure, a pair of generally horizontally spaced vertically extending shafts supporting said first and second elements, respectively, a first carriage, means supporting said third element on said carriage and adjustment means for selectively moving said carriage toward and away from said first and second elements for controlling the amount of deformation workstock will be subjected to in traversing said first path.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a second carriage, a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced shafts supporting said fourth and fifth elements, respectively, and adjustment means for moving said carriage relative to said first plane.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a support structure, a pair of generally horizontally spaced vertically extending shafts supporting said first and second elements, respectively, a first carriage, means supporting said third element on said carriage and adjustment means for selectively moving said carriage toward and away from said first and second elements for controlling the amount of deformation workstock will be subjected to when traversing said path, a second carriage, a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced shafts supporting said fourth and fifth elements, respectively, and adjustment means for moving said carriage relative to said first plane.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the workstock being formed defines a coextensive interior cavity, and which includes an articulated snake-like element extending within said cavity for preventing undesirable collapsing of the workstock as the same is deformed upon traversing at least one of said workstock paths.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fourth and fifth rotatable workstock forming elements are adjustable both horizontally and vertically relative to said first plane.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second spaced rotatable workstock forming elements are adjustable both horizontally and vertically relative to said second plane. 